Schlumbergera plant named ‘THOR-KIRI’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Schlumbergera  plant named ‘THOR-KIRI’ particularly characterized by large upright to vertical flowers; freely flowering white, light-purple and red-purple colored flowers; large quantity of flowers per plant; and slow growth rate and freely branching growth habit.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Schlumbergera truncata.

Variety denomination: ‘THOR-KIRI’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Schlumbergera plant, botanically known as Schlumbergera truncata, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘THOR-KIRI’.

Schlumbergera (formerly Zygocacatus) of the Cactaceae family, consists of 6 known species which are epiphtyic cacti and native to Brazil. Common names for Schlumbergera plants include: Crab Cactus for the cultivar's claw-like phylloclade margin, Thanksgiving Cactus for cultivars which bloom to November, and Christmas Cactus for cultivars which bloom in December.

The new Schlumbergera cultivar is a product of a controlled breeding program conducted by the inventor, Jørgen Kurt ANDERSEN, in Fyn, Denmark. The objective of the breeding program was to develop a new Schlumbergera cultivar with upright plant habit, freely branching habit and large flowers with a unique color combination.

The new Schlumbergera cultivar originated from an outcrossing made by the inventor, Jørgen Kurt ANDERSEN, in 2001 in Fyn, Denmark. The female or seed parent is an unnamed, unpatented Schlumbergera truncata cultivar. The male or pollen parent is an unnamed, unpatented Schlumbergera truncata cultivar. The new Schlumbergera cultivar was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated outcrossing in a controlled environment in 2002 in Fyn, Denmark, on the basis of its flower color and freely branching habit.

Asexual reproduction of the new Schlumbergera cultivar by phylloclade cuttings taken and propagated, and followed by trial production batches, was first performed in 23^(rd) November 2001 in Fyn, Denmark, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘THOR-KIRI’ which in combination distinguish this Schlumbergera as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Large upright to vertical flowers;     -   2. Freely flowering white, light-purple and red-purple colored         flowers;     -   3. Large quantity of flowers per plant; and     -   4. Slow growth rate and freely branching growth habit.

Plants of the new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-KIRI’ differ from plants of the parental cultivars in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. The new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-KIRI’ is characterized         by its many shoots and flowers.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-KIRI’ is the Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-OLGA’ (unpatented) in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-KIRI’ have         more lateral branches (about 9 to 12 when 3 phylloclade cuttings         planted per plant) than plants of the cultivar ‘THOR-OLGA’         (about 6 when 3 phylloclade cuttings planted per plant).     -   2. Plants of the new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-KIRI’ have         more petals per flower (about 10 in apical whorl and about 6 in         basal whorl) than plants of the cultivar ‘THOR-OLGA’ (about 9 in         apical whorl and about 5 in basal whorl).     -   3. Plants of the new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-KIRI’ have         red-purple colored flower buds (RHS 73B to RHS 73C) whereas         plants of the Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-OLGA’ have red-purple         colored flower buds (RHS 67A).     -   4. Plants of the new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-KIRI’ have         mature flowers with red-purple colored petals and a light purple         colored tube whereas plants of the Schlumbergera cultivar         ‘THOR-OLGA’ have mature flowers with red-purple colored petals         and a white colored tube.     -   5. Plants of the new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-KIRI’ have         smaller petaloids (length about 2.5 cm and height about 1.2 cm)         than the plants of the cultivar ‘THOR-OLGA’ (length about 3.0 cm         and height about 1.4 cm).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-KIRI’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘THOR-KIRI’.

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘THOR-KIRI’ grown in a 10.5 cm pots, at 10 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘THOR-KIRI’ grown in a 10.5 cm pots, at 10 months of age.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of immature and mature flowers, buds and phylloclades of ‘THOR-KIRI’.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of mature flowers of ‘THOR-KIRI’.

FIG. 5 shows a close-up view of flowers and phylloclades of ‘THOR-OLGA’.

FIG. 6 shows a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘THOR-OLGA’ grown in a 10.5 cm pot, at about 10 months of age.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-KIRI’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘THOR-KIRI’ as grown in a glass-covered greenhouse in Fyn, Denmark, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. Plants of ‘THOR-KIRI’ are thermo photo-periodic and will develop buds and bloom best under short day conditions (less than 12 hours of sunlight for a period of 4 weeks) and cool night temperatures between 13° C. and 18° C. No growth retardants were used when growing plants of ‘THOR-KIRI’.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 4^(th) edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. The photographs and descriptions were taken during the Fall of 2005 in Fyn, Denmark, when outdoor day temperatures averaged 20° C. and outdoor night temperatures averaged 18° C. The age of the plants described is 20 weeks.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Schlumbergera truncata.         -   Common name.—Thanksgiving Cactus. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female or seed parent.—Unnamed, unpatented Schlumbergera             truncata.         -   Male or pollen parent.—Unnamed, unpatented Schlumbergera             truncata. -   Propagation: By phylloclade cuttings.     -   -   Time and temperature to initiate roots.—In a greenhouse,             about 30 days at 18° C. to 21° C.         -   Time and temperature to produce a rooted cutting.—In a             greenhouse, about 20 days at at 18° C. to 21° C.         -   Rooting habit and description.—Fine, well-branched and RHS             155 B, white in color. -   Plant:     -   -   Type.—Perennial, Epiphyte.         -   Growth habit.—Initially erect and upright, becoming pendent             as lateral branches lengthen.         -   Branching habit.—Freely branching, with three or more new             phylloclades forming at the apex of older phylloclades.         -   Vigor.—Slow growth rate.         -   Crop time.—After rooting, about 10 months are required to             produce a finished flowering plant in an 11 cm pot.         -   Size at maturity.—Height (soil level to top of plant,             including flowers): About 18 cm. Spread: About 25 cm. -   Stem: None, older phylloclades may turn woody with age (several     years). -   Lateral branches:     -   -   Arrangement.—Phylloclades form at the apex of older             phylloclades to form branches.         -   Quantity.—Between 9 to 12, when 3 phylloclade cuttings             planted per pot.         -   Length.—Primary: About 4 cm (1 phylloclade). Secondary:             About 8.5 cm (2 phylloclades).         -   Width.—About 3.0 cm.         -   Aspect.—Upright to arching (from basal phylloclade).         -   Strength.—Strong (from basal phylloclade).         -   Appearance.—Shiny.         -   Pubescence.—None.         -   Color.—Green, RHS N138A. -   Phylloclade:     -   -   Arrangement.—Single and sequential.         -   Quantity per lateral branch.—Between 3-4.         -   Length.—About 4 cm.         -   Width.—About 3.0 cm.         -   Thickness.—About 4 mm (center of phylloclade).         -   Overall shape.—Oval, truncated, sometimes cupulate.         -   Apex shape.—Truncate with 2 protruding marginal teeth (about             8 to 9 mm in length), forming a claw-like shape.         -   Base shape.—Rounded.         -   Margin.—Serrated; about 5 teeth (6-7 mm in length).         -   Texture.—Glabrous, smooth.         -   Pubescence.—None.         -   Color of upper surface.—Immature: Yellow-green, RHS 146A.             Mature: Yellow-green, RHS 147A. Margin: RHS Yellow-green RHS             147A.         -   Color of lower surface.—Immature: Yellow-green, RHS 146B.             Mature: Yellow-green, RHS 147B. Margin: RHS Yellow-green,             RHS 147B.         -   Venation.—Pattern: Costate. Color: Upper surface:             Yellow-green, RHS 146A. Lower surface: Yellow-green, RHS             147B. -   Areole: Not true areole structure; tip of phylloclade is barbellate,     8-10 short hairs or bristles. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Arrangement and appearance.—Single, double or triple sessile             flowers borne on apical end of phylloclades. Flowers are             hose-in-hose and zygomorphic. When flowers are fully open,             they form a right angle to the phylloclade. Flowers             persistent; petals fold and wither slowly.         -   Natural flowering season.—Flowering occurs between October             and December. (northern hemisphere), but can be changed             depending on short day photo-treatments.         -   Flowering response time.—About 8 to 9 weeks from planting.         -   Rate of flowers opening.—About 2 to 3 per week, depending on             temperature and light.         -   Flowering longevity (dependent on temperature and light             conditions).—About 5 to 6 days.         -   Fragrance.—None.         -   Quantity of flowers per lateral branch.—About 1 to 3.         -   Quantity of buds per lateral branch.—About 2.         -   Quantity of flowers and buds per plant.—About 25 to 30.         -   Flower bud.—Length: Ranging from 0 to 45 mm (before             anthesis). Width: Ranging from 0 to 10 mm (before anthesis).             Shape: Lanceolate. Color: Red-purple, RHS 73B to RHS 73C.         -   Flower.—Type: Single. Shape: Tubular, hose-in-hose triple             perianth. Aspect: Initially facing upward, later facing             outward (right angle to phylloclade). Persistent or             self-cleaning: Persistent, but drops after withering.         -   Corolla size.—Height: About 6.0 cm (including ovary).             Diameter: About 5 to 6 cm. Tube length: About 5 to 6 cm.             Tube diameter: About 9 mm.         -   Petals.—Quantity: Apical Whorl: About 10; Basal whorl: About             5 to 7. Length: About 2.3 cm. Width: About 1.7 cm. Shape:             Oblong. Apex: Acute. Base: Apical Whorl: Fused; Basal Whorl:             Free. Margin: Entire. Appearance: Shiny. Texture: Silky,             smooth, glabrous (both surfaces). Color of Upper Surface             (when opening): Petals: Red-purple, RHS N66B; Petal Margin:             Red-purple, RHS N66A; Tube: Light Purple, RHS 75D. Color of             Lower Surface (when opening): Petals: Red-purple, RHS 68A;             Petal Margin: Red-purple RHS 68A; Tube: White, RHS N155C.             Color of Upper Surface (when fully opened): Petals:             Red-purple, RHS N67B; Petal Margin: Red-purple, RHS N67A;             Tube: Light-Purple, RHS 76C. Color of Lower Surface (when             fully opened): Petals: Red-purple, RHS 68A; Petal Margin:             Red-purple, RHS 68A; Tube: White, RHS N155C.         -   Petaloids.—Quantity: About 7 to 9. Length: About 2.5 cm.             Width: About 1.2 cm. Shape: Oblong. Apex: Acute. Base:             Fused. Margin: Entire. Texture (both surfaces): Silky.             Color: Immature: Red-purple, RHS N74A; Mature: Red-purple,             RHS N74B.         -   Sepals.—Quantity: About 5. Length: About 1.0 cm. Width:             About 1.0 cm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse to rounded. Base:             Truncate. Margin: Entire. Texture (both surfaces): Glabrous.             Color (Immature): Upper surface: Light purple, RHS 75A;             margin: Light purple, RHS 75A; Lower surface: Light purple,             RHS 75C; margin: Light purple, RHS 75B. Color (Mature):             Upper surface: Red-purple, RHS N74B; margin: Red-purple, RHS             74A; Lower surface: Red-purple, RHS N74B; margin:             Red-purple, RHS 74B. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium.—Stamen: Quantity: Many (about 30 to 40),             polyandrous, phaneranherous (Obviously protruding),             incurved. Some filaments fused to perianth tube (connate).             Length: About 45 mm. Color: White, RHS 155D. Anther: Shape:             Basifixed, ovoid. Length: About 1 mm. Color: Light yellow,             RHS 11D. Filament: Length: About 40 to 45 mm. Color: White,             RHS 155D, translucent. Pollen: Amount: Abundant. Color:             Light yellow, RHS 11D.         -   Gynoecium.—Pistil: Quantity: 1. Shape: Slightly curved.             Length: About 50 mm. Stigma: Shape: Initially ovoid, opening             to claw-like shape. Color: Red-purple, RHS N74A. Style:             Length: About 45 mm. Color: Red-purple, RHS N74A. Ovary:             Shape: Angular. Length: About 4 to 5 mm. Width: About 3 mm.             Color: Yellow-green, RHS 144A. -   Seeds/fruit: None observed. -   Disease/pest resistance: No test for disease/pest resistance have     been performed yet. -   Disease/pest susceptibility: No test for disease/pest resistance     have been performed yet. -   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 2° C.     and to a high temperature about 40° C. 

1. A new and distinct Schlumbergera plant named ‘THOR-KIRI’, as illustrated and described herein. 